When I received my PTSD diagnosis in early April of this year, I didn’t expect it to unravel me the way it did. Since the Fall of 2024, I had been moving through months of uncertainty and stress that slowly compounded until I no longer recognized myself. I was constantly on alert, running on little sleep, my body storing memories my mind didn’t know how to process. I kept telling myself things would settle, that I just needed a break. But the breaks never came. I had been navigating a season of exhaustion, emotional, physical, and spiritual. I thought maybe it was just a case of burnout. But my body was holding on to months of trauma, harassment, and constant vigilance; it slowly began to shut down in ways I couldn’t explain. I wasn’t just tired; I was terrified. My nervous system was shot, stuck in a state of survival mode.

There’s something I’ve noticed over the years that I used to think was trivial: the way I feel when I walk into a well-designed space. Not a space that has a beautiful aesthetic, but a space that is intentional. My years working in both commercial and residential design exposed me to just how much our environment shapes us. That exposure opened me to a world of difference; how lighting, layout, material, and emotion all intersect.

I’ve always been drawn to the spaces between things.

The way a coat drapes over the back of a chair or an article of clothing that takes shape into a feeling. The soft echo of jazz in a quiet, clean kitchen. The arch of an entryway that lets the morning in just right. Long before I knew what I would do professionally, I knew what I loved: how design could hold emotion. Not just in the expected ways, but in the quiet ones too. It has never been purely about aesthetics, it’s been about storytelling and belonging as well.

Total Read Time: 2 mins 58 secs

There’s something truly magical about baking bread, especially focaccia. I tried focaccia for the first time many, many years ago when a job I was working ordered me the wrong sandwich. It was a pesto and turkey on focaccia bread; I never looked back after that. This past December, I baked more bread than I have since I picked up the hobby in early 2024. Some of my family members tried focaccia for the very first time this year, and it warmed my heart to be able to bake something with love for the people I love the most.

Total Read Time: 4 mins 16 secs

I can't believe that it is officially September. And while I hate to see the Summer months go, I am happy that we're closer to the Autumn and holiday seasons. September 22, 2024, marks the first official day of Autumn, and it is honestly my favorite time of the year. What comes to mind for you when you think of Fall? My first thought is planning and preparing for those seasonal occasions, pumpkin patches, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and everything in between. I also inadvertently transitioned my wardrobe with a heavy focus on thermal textures and flannels, which are go-to essentials during the cooler months.

Total Read Time: 2 min 55 sec

Our homes are our anchors; they’re the spaces where we spend the bulk of our time but also where we feel the most grounded. At Dvn Oasis, we believe that our homes are our sanctuaries. We believe that when people are in their homes, everything throughout should reflect beauty but also what makes them feel calm and at peace, and creating a living environment you enjoy spending time in requires you to do so mindfully.

When it comes to applying mindful consumption to your home decor and design, there are a few key principles to keep in mind. First, consider the purpose and functionality of each item you bring into your space. Once you determine an item's purpose, you can consider maximizing its functionality. Does it serve a specific function or bring joy to your life?

Our favorite time of the year at Dvn Oasis is when we can share ways to help you elevate your home. While Autumn and Winter are secretly our favorite seasons, Summer is the ultimate time to incorporate simplified changes to the home by layering in design. When the seasons change, it's always a good time to freshen up your home. The previous season may carry old energies and feelings, so beginning anew can benefit your overall well-being. Whether you're looking for a complete interior makeover or want to add subtle summer touches, this quick guide will help refresh your home for the warmer months.

There is something so fulfilling about having an ice cold cocktail on a beautiful summer day and truthfully, nothing completes the summertime vibe better than delicious cocktails. Fortunately, crafting up perfect summertime cocktail doesn't have to be complicated. We've compiled some of the best and easy-to-make cocktail recipes that are sure to shake up any summertime day!

Eating seasonally isn’t something we typically think about. I mean, if we could, we would eat strawberries all year long. If we’re being honest, many of us do but it doesn’t mean that it’s the best decision. While seasonal eating may seem like a new trend with the rise of health consciousness, it’s been traditionally done for hundreds of years. In the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda, there is a special term for eating seasonally: Ritucharya. One of the defining characteristics of Ayurveda, or the ancient Indian science of life, is the relationship that it has with the wisdom of nature.

There are a lot of us who can think of a million and one things we’d rather do than clean our home. While cleaning isn’t always the highlight of our day, keeping the common areas of our homes clean has some fantastic health benefits. It turns out, infectious viruses and bacteria are more common in our homes than we think. The bacteria lurking in our homes can carry more bacteria than trash cans. Gross, right? So, how often should we be cleaning the common areas in our house? It’s an essential question with an infinite number of answers. The truth is, every common household area—from living rooms to your bathrooms—has a different cleaning schedule. We did our research and wanted to provide you with a guide on rooms to clean and how often you should clean them.

Fall is an opportune time for hosting and entertaining because we’re just wrapping up the Summer months but also gearing up to usher in the Holiday season. I don’t know about you all, but at the tail-end of Summer, I am still very much in the mood to see and spend time with my loved ones. One of my girlfriends called me recently and asked if I could walk her through the process of entertaining a small group of friends for a dinner party at the end of the month. I was delighted that she thought of me to help guide her through the process, but I also wanted to capture some of the high points I shared with her for you all. Below are a few of my favorite ways to pre-plan for hosting and entertaining friends.